Spanish Papers

Possession, instead of cooling the passion of Abdalasis, only added to its force; he became blindly enamored of his beautiful bride, and consulted her will in all things; nay, h...

Triumphs of Abderahman.—The Palm-tree which he planted, and the Verses he composed thereupon.—Insurrections.—His Enemies subdued.—Undisputed Sovereign of the Moslems of Spain.—B...

When King Fernando had regulated everything for the good government and prosperity of Seville, he sallied forth with his conquering army to subdue the surrounding country. He so...

On the morning after the battle, the Arab leader, Taric ben Zeyad, rode over the bloody field of the Guadalete, strewed with the ruins of those splendid armies which had so late...

The authentic Agapida passes over many pages of the ancient chronicle narrating the early life of Pelayo, presenting nothing of striking importance. His father, the Duke of Cant...

The morning sun shone brightly upon the cliff-built towers of Toledo, when King Roderick issued out of the gate of the city at the head of a numerous train of courtiers and cava...

“Blessed be God!” exclaims an Arabian historian; “in his hands alone is the destiny of princes. He overthrows the mighty, and humbles the haughty to the dust; and he raises up t...

Obscurity of the Ancient Chronicles.—The Loves of Doña Lucia and the Duke Favila.—Birth of Pelayo, and what happened thereupon; His Early Fortunes, and His Tutelage under the ve...

After the capture of Merida, Muza gave a grand banquet to his captains and distinguished warriors in that magnificent city. At this martial feast were many Arab cavaliers who ha...

Aben Hudiel, the Moorish King of Murcia, becomes the Vassal of King Fernando.—Aben Alhamar seeks to drive the Christians out of Andalusia.—Fernando takes the Field against him.—...

The beautiful daughter of Count Julian was received with great favor by the queen Exilona and admitted among the noble damsels that attended upon her person. Here she lived in h...

Expedition of the Prince Alonzo against the Moors.—Encamps on the Banks of the Guadalete.—Aben Hud marches out from Xerez and gives Battle.—Prowess of Garcia Perez de Vargas.—Fl...

Bravado of the Three Cavaliers.—Ambush at the Bridge over the Guadayra.—Desperate Valor of Garci Perez.—Grand Attempt of Admiral Bonifaz on the Bridge of Boats.—Seville dismembe...

The army of Muza was now augmented to about eighteen thousand horsemen, but he took with him but few foot-soldiers, leaving them to garrison the conquered towns. He met with no...

The course of our legendary narration now returns to notice the fortunes of Count Julian, after his departure from Toledo, to resume his government on the coast of Barbary. He l...

Aben Hud, the Moorish chief, who had been defeated by Alvar Perez and Prince Alonzo before Xerez, was at this time in Ecija with a large force, and disposed to hasten to the aid...

The terror of the arms of Taric ben Zeyad went before him; and, at the same time, the report of his lenity to those who submitted without resistance. Wherever he appeared, the t...

The gray summits of the rock of Calpe brightened with the first rays of morning, as the Christian army issued forth from its encampment. The Prince Ataulpho rode from squadron t...

The Parentage of Fernando.—Queen Berenguela.—The Laras.—Don Alvar conceals the Death of King Henry.—Mission of Queen Berenguela to Alfonso IX.—She renounces the Crown of Castile...

King Alfonso of Leon was exceedingly exasperated at the furtive manner in which his son Fernando had left him, without informing him of King Henry’s death. He considered, and pe...

Pelayo, according to the old chronicle before quoted, returned to his home deeply impressed with the revelations made to him by the saintly hermit, and prepared to set forth upo...

While these events were passing in Cordova, the one-eyed Arab general, Taric el Tuerto, having subdued the city and vega of Granada, and the Mountains of the Sun and Air, direct...

For several succeeding years of the career of this most redoubtable cavalier, the most edifying and praiseworthy traces which remain, says Fray Antonio Agapida, are to be found...

Of the Moorish Host that came up from Cordova, and how the Count repaired to the Hermitage of San Pedro, and prayed for Success against them, and received Assurance of Victory i...

Investment of Seville.—All Spain aroused to Arms.—Surrender of Alcala Del Rio.—The Fleet of Admiral Ramon Bonifaz advances up the Guadalquivir.—Don Pelayo Correa, Master of Sant...

Tidings soon spread throughout Spain that the Christians of the Asturias were in arms and had proclaimed a king among the mountains. The veteran chief, Taric el Tuerto, was alar...

Aben Alhamar, Founder of the Alhambra.—Fortifies Granada and makes it his Capital.—Attempts to surprise the Castle of Martos.—Peril of the Fortress.—A Woman’s Stratagem to save...

A light had burned throughout the night in the tent of the king, and anxious thoughts and dismal visions troubled his repose. If he fell into a slumber, he beheld in his dreams...

Spain, or Iberia as it was called in ancient days, has been a country harassed from the earliest times by the invader. The Celts, the Greeks, the Phœnicians, the Carthaginians,...

As yet the heart of Roderick, occupied by the struggles of his early life, by warlike enterprises, and by the inquietudes of newly-gotten power, had been insensible to the charm...

In hearing the tidings brought by Taric el Tuerto, and beholding the spoil he had collected, Muza wrote a letter to the Caliph Waled Almanzor, setting forth the traitorous proff...

For three long and anxious months did the good knight Pelistes and his cavaliers defend their sacred asylum against the repeated assaults of the infidels. The standard of the tr...

The scattered fugitives of the Christian army spread terror throughout the land. The inhabitants of the towns and villages gathered around them as they applied at their gates fo...

The Princess Sancha remained for some time in the garden, revolving in her mind all that she had just heard, and tenderness for the Count Fernan Gonzalez began to awaken in her...

About this time there arrived in Seville a Moorish alfaqui, named Orias, with a large company of warriors, who came to this war as if performing a pilgrimage, for it was conside...

The heart of Muza ben Nosier was now lifted up, for he considered his glory complete. He held a sway that might have gratified the ambition of the proudest sovereign, for all we...

The good Count Fernan Gonzalez was now well stricken in years. The fire of youth was extinct, the pride and ambition of manhood were over; instead of erecting palaces and lofty...

King Fernando the Saint soon found his encampment on the banks of the Guadalquivir too much exposed to the sudden sallies and insults of the Moors. As the land was level, they e...

The hopes of Andalusia revived as this mighty host stretched in lengthening lines along its fertile plains; from morn until night it continued to pour along, with sound of drum...

When Don Roderick heard that legions of turbaned troops had poured into the land from Africa, he called to mind the visions and predictions of the necromantic tower, and great f...

Axataf, King of Seville, exasperated at the Submission of the King of Granada, rejects the Propositions of King Fernando for a Truce.—The latter is encouraged by a Vision to und...

Death of Alfonso, King of Leon.—The Moors determined to strike a fresh Blow at the Count, who summons all Castile to his Standard.—Of his Hunt in the Forest while waiting for th...

The renowned Fernan Gonzalez, the most complete hero of his time, was born about the year 887. Historians trace his descent to Nuño Belchidez, nephew of the Emperor Charlemagne,...

The overthrow of King Roderick and his army on the banks of the Guadalete, threw open all southern Spain to the inroads of the Moslems. The whole country fled before them; villa...

Abdalasis had fixed his seat of government at Seville, as permitting easy and frequent communications with the coast of Africa. His palace was of noble architecture, with deligh...

On the following day the two armies remained regarding each other with wary but menacing aspect. About noontide King Roderick sent forth a chosen force of five hundred horse and...

The Count imprisoned by the King of Leon.—The Countess concerts his Escape.—Leon and Castile united by the Marriage of the Prince Ordoño with Urraca, the Daughter of the Count b...

The dissensions, which for a time had distracted the conquering army, being appeased, and the Arabian generals being apparently once more reconciled, Muza, as commander in-chief...

Count Fernan Gonzalez did not remain idle after the victory of San Quirce. There was at this time an old castle, strong but much battered in the wars, which protected a small to...

When Muza ben Nosier had sent his son Abdalasis to subdue Seville, he departed for Toledo to call Taric to account for his disobedience to his orders; for, amidst all his own su...

Marriage of King Fernando.—Campaign against the Moors.—Aben Mohamed, King of Baeza, declares himself the Vassal of King Fernando.—They march to Jaen.—Burning of the Tower.—Ferna...

Let us leave for a season the bold Taric in his triumphant progress from city to city, while we turn our eyes to Muza ben Nosier, the renowned emir of Almagreb, and the commande...

When Count Julian had placed his family in security in Ceuta, surrounded by soldiery devoted to his fortunes, he took with him a few confidential followers and departed in secre...

King Fernando’s Expedition to Andalusia.—Siege of Jaen.—Secret Departure of Aben Alhamar for the Christian Camp.—He Acknowledges himself the Vassal of the King, who enters Jaen...

Shortly after the arrival of Taric el Tuerto at Damascus, the caliph fell dangerously ill, insomuch that his life was despaired of. During his illness, tidings were brought that...

While these events were happening in Syria, the youthful Abdalasis, the son of Muza, remained as emir or governor of Spain. He was of a generous and benignant disposition, but h...

Woe to the ruler who founds his hope of sway on the weakness or corruption of the people. The very measures taken by Witiza to perpetuate his power ensured his downfall. While t...

It happened one day that a great part of the cavaliers of the army were absent, some making cavalgadas about the country, others guarding the foragers, and others gone to receiv...

While the veteran Taric was making this wide circuit through the land, the expedition under Magued the renegado proceeded against the city of Cordova. The inhabitants of that an...

The good Count of Castile was so inspirited by this signal victory over the Moors, and their great general Almanzor, that he determined, now that he had a breathing-spell from i...

How the Count went to receive the Hand of a Princess, and was thrown into a Dungeon.—Of the Stranger that visited him in his Chains, and of the Appeal that he made to the Prince...

King Sancho the Fat.—Of the Homage he exacted from Count Fernan Gonzalez, and of the strange Bargain that he made with him for the purchase of his Horse and Falcon.

In those warlike times of Spain every one lived with sword in hand; there was scarcely a commanding cliff or hill-top but had its castle. Moors and Christians regarded each othe...

The heart of Don Roderick was not so depraved by sensuality, but that the wrong he had been guilty of toward the innocent Florinda, and the disgrace he had inflicted on her hous...

On the day after the breaking of the bridge, the king, the Prince Alfonso, the Prince Enrique, the various masters of the orders, and a great part of the army, crossed the Guada...

The loyalty and prowess of the good knight Pelistes had gained him the reverence even of his enemies. He was for a long time disabled by his wounds, during which he was kindly t...

Taric Ben Zeyad had been surprised by the valor of the Christian cavaliers in the recent battles, and at the number and apparent devotion of the troops which accompanied the kin...

Few events in history have been so original and striking in their main circumstances, and so overwhelming and enduring in their consequences, as that of the conquest of Spain by...

While the Count Fernan Gonzalez was yet ill of his wounds in his capital, and when his soldiers had scarce laid by their cuirasses and hung up their shields and lances, there wa...

While the army of King Fernando the Saint harassed the city by land and cut off its supplies, the bold Bonifaz, with his fleet, shut up the river, prevented all succor from Afri...

When Pelayo beheld his enemies thus scattered and destroyed, he saw that Heaven was on his side, and proceeded to follow up his victory. Rearing the sacred banner, he descended...

Aben Hud.—Abullale purchases another Year’s Truce.—Fernando hears of the Death of his Father, the King of Leon, while pressing the Siege of Jaen.—He becomes Sovereign of the Two...

When Count Fernan Gonzalez returned to his troops he found them in great alarm at his absence, fearing some evil had befallen him; but he cheered them with an account of his adv...

When Queen Berenguela beheld King Fernando returning in triumph from the conquest of Cordova, her heart was lifted up with transport, for there is nothing that more rejoices the...

Abderahman Ben Omeya arrived in safety on the coast of Andalusia and landed at Almunecar, or Malaga, with his little band of warlike Zenetes. Spain was at that time in great con...

About this time certain Christian cavaliers of the frontiers received information from Moorish captives that the noble city of Cordova was negligently guarded, so that the subur...

King Sancho I., having reëstablished himself on the throne, and recovered the good-will of his subjects by his leanness and horsemanship, sent a stern message to Count Fernan Go...

The worthy Fray Antonio Agapida records various other victories and achievements of King Fernando in a subsequent campaign against the Moors of Andalusia; in the course of which...

Among the nobles, continues the old chronicle, who appeared in Toledo to do homage to the new king was Favila, Duke of Cantabria. He left his wife in their castle among the moun...

Volumes would it take to follow the Count Fernan Gonzalez in his heroic achievements against the infidels,—achievements which give to sober history almost the air of fable. I fo...

For a time Don Roderick lived happily with his young and beautiful queen, and Toledo was the seat of festivity and splendor. The principal nobles throughout the kingdom repaired...

Many are the doughty achievements recorded in ancient chronicles of this most valorous cavalier; among others is his expedition, with a chosen band, against the castle of Muñon,...

After the capture of Carmona, Muza descended into a noble plain, covered with fields of grain, with orchards and gardens, through which glided the soft-flowing Guadalquivir. On...

How the Count of Castile and the King of Leon make a Triumphant Foray into the Moorish Country.—Capture of Salamanca.—Of the Challenge brought by the Herald, and of the Count’s...

The rejoicings for the marriage of Count Fernan Gonzalez with the beautiful Princess Sancha were scarcely finished when King Garcia the Trembler came with a powerful army to rev...

Axataf, King of Seville, exasperated at the Submission of the King of Granada, rejects the Propositions of King Fernando for a Truce.—The latter is encouraged by a Vision to und...

Death of Alfonso, King of Leon.—The Moors determined to strike a fresh Blow at the Count, who summons all Castile to his Standard.—Of his Hunt in the Forest while waiting for th...

Triumphs of Abderahman.—The Palm-tree which he planted, and the Verses he composed thereupon.—Insurrections.—His Enemies subdued.—Undisputed Sovereign of the Moslems of Spain.—B...

Expedition of the Prince Alonzo against the Moors.—Encamps on the Banks of the Guadalete.—Aben Hud marches out from Xerez and gives Battle.—Prowess of Garcia Perez de Vargas.—Fi...

Aben Alhamar, Founder of the Alhambra.—Fortifies Granada and makes it his Capital.—Attempts to Surprise the Castle of Martos.—Peril of the Fortress.—A Woman’s Stratagem to save...

How the Count went to receive the Hand of a Princess, and was thrown into a Dungeon.—Of the Stranger that visited him in his Chains, and of the Appeal that he made to the Prince...

Aben Hudiel, the Moorish King of Murcia, becomes the Vassal of King Fernando.—Aben Alhamar seeks to drive the Christians out of Andalusia.—Fernando takes the Field against him.—...

Investment of Seville.—All Spain aroused to Arms.—Surrender of Alcala del Rio.—The Fleet of Admiral Ramon Bonifaz advances up the Guadalquivir.—Don Pelayo Correa, Master of Sant...

Of the Moorish Host that came up from Cordova, and how the Count repaired to the Hermitage of San Pedro, and prayed for Success against them, and received Assurance of Victory i...

Marriage of King Fernando.—Campaign against the Moors.—Aben Mohamed, King of Baeza, declares himself the Vassal of King Fernando.—They march to Jaen.—Burning of the Tower.—Ferna...

Aben Hud.—Abullale purchases another Year’s Truce.—Fernando hears of the Death of his Father, the King of Leon, while pressing the Siege of Jaen.—He becomes Sovereign of the two...

The Count imprisoned by the King of Leon.—The Countess concerts his Escape.—Leon and Castile united by the Marriage of the Prince Ordoño with Urraca, the Daughter of the Count b...

The Parentage of Fernando.—Queen Berenguela.—The Laras.—Don Alvar conceals the Death of King Henry.—Mission of Queen Berenguela to Alfonso IX.—She renounces the Crown of Castile...

How the Count of Castile and the King of Leon make a Triumphant Foray into the Moorish Country.—Capture of Salamanca.—Of the Challenge brought by the Herald, and of the Count’s...

Obscurity of the Ancient Chronicles.—The Loves of Doña Lucia and the Duke Favila.—Birth of Pelayo, and what happened thereupon; His Early Fortunes, and his Tutelage under the ve...

King Sancho the Fat.—Of the Homage he exacted from Count Fernan Gonzalez, and of the strange Bargain that he made with him for the Purchase of his Horse and Falcon. 385

Bravado of the Three Cavaliers.—Ambush at the Bridge over the Guadayra.—Desperate Valor of Garci Perez.—Grand Attempt of Admiral Bonifaz on the Bridge of Boats.—Seville dismembe...

King Fernando’s Expedition to Andalusia.—Siege of Jaen.—Secret Departure of Aben Alhamar for the Christian Camp.—He acknowledges himself the Vassal of the King, who enters Jaen...